Monday night, saw a tense and nervous Manchester City record a 1-0 win over Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium. The victory moved the Citizens back above title-rivals Liverpool by a point heading into the last game of the season. The 70th-minute thunderbolt of a strike from captain and centre-back Vincent Kompany on 70 minutes was enough to clinch the win for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Advantage City in the title race
Liverpool and Manchester City have been well above the rest of the teams in the Premier League this season in terms of quality and determination.
Both City and Liverpool have been in excellent form, neither slipping up in recent weeks. In fact, the Citizens have recorded 12 straight league wins, while Liverpool have won eight on the bounce in the top-flight.
Despite those impressive records, their recent opponents have been far from pushovers. Newcastle took Liverpool to within five minutes of a draw, while City’s last two opponents Burnley and Leicester have made it mighty difficult for the Citizens.
The Foxes defended resolutely and restricted City mainly to shots from distance. When Guardiola’s side broke through it came from the unlikely source of Kompany from 30 yards. I doubt he has ever produced a better effort in his career. He probably has never scored a more important goal either.
At that point of the game, it seemed that Leicester were heading home with a point, handing Liverpool the title advantage in the process. The effort was typical of Kompany and his importance to the Citizens.
There were rumours that the centre-back may retire this summer. However, it has since been revealed that the defender will discuss his City future this summer with boss Pep Guardiola.
Last day games will decide the title
Manchester City are hot favourites to win the Premier League title this season. However, it is important to remember that the Citizens are just that point above title rivals Liverpool in the race for the English top-flight title.
To win the trophy, City only have to win at struggling Brighton on Sunday. The Seagulls have lost five of their last eight top-flight games. They have nothing to play for, but that has not stopped Burnley, Newcastle and Leicester all producing spirited displays against the title challengers. It looks unlikely that City will let the title slip out of their grasp now.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s last game of the campaign is against Wolves at Anfield. The Reds will seek to make it 40 home games unbeaten in the Premier League. Jurgen Klopp’s side can only beat the side from the Midlands and hope their rivals fail to beat the Seagulls.
Whatever happens whoever finishes second in this season’s incredible race for the title will break a record, as they will have collected the most points of any runner-up in Premier League history. The two title rivals have been relentless for the majority of the campaign. It seems likely that both teams will win their remaining game, which would mean that City retains the Premier League crown.
If that does happen, then Liverpool deserves immense credit for their extraordinary campaign, as in most other campaigns the Reds would have probably won the title by a country mile. However, City are quite simply one of the best teams the Premier League has ever seen, so finishing second to them would be no disgrace.
Is the race for the Premier League title now over?
